Lipid is a loosely defined term for substances of biological origin that are soluble in nonpolar solvents. It includes phospholipid, glycolipid, cholesterol etc. Among them, phospholipid is the most widely used in our life, especially the lecithin.
Lecithin is the popular and commercial name for a naturally occurring mixture of phospholipids (formerly called phosphatides), which varies in color from light tan to dark reddish brown and in consistency from a fluid to a plastic solid. Lecithin is the gummy material contained in crude vegetable oils which can be removed by degumming. Soybeans are by far the most important source of commercial lecithin and lecithin is the most important by-product of the soy oil processing industry because of its many applications in foods and in nonfood industrial products. The three main phospholipids in this complex mixture called "commercial soy lecithin" are phosphatidylcholine (also called "pure" or "chemical" lecithin to distinguish it from the natural mixture), phosphatidylethanolamine (popularly called "cephalin"), and phosphatidylinositol’s (also called inositol phosphatides). Commercial soy lecithin also typically contains roughly 30-35% unrefined soy oil. Indeed, lecithin is one of the most complex and versatile substances derived from the soybean.
Global lipid market was valued at 1501 Million US$ in 2018 and is projected to reach 2120 Million US$ by 2024, at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period.
Global demand for lipid has a rapid growth as the lipid is used in many industries:
Food Uses: Lecithin is used in a surprisingly large array of our daily foods. Perhaps most widely used in margarine (for anti-spatter and as an emulsifier), it is also used in chocolates, caramels and coatings (to control viscosity, crystallization, weep age, and sticking), in chewing gum (for its softening, plasticizing, and release effects), in instant foods such as cocoa powders, coffee creamer and instant breakfast (for wetting, dispersing, and emulsifying), in calf milk replacers (to add energy and aid digestibility and emulsification). It is also found in baked goods, cheeses, meat and poultry products, dairy and imitation dairy products, and still other products. Glycolipid can be used as food additives.
Pharmaceuticals Uses: Much research has been done and is being done on the therapeutic use of lecithin, especially in the prevention or treatment of neurochemical and cardiovascular disorders. Although the results are not conclusive, many health food consumers use lecithin for benefits they believe it will bring in these areas. Cholesterol can be used to manufacture Vitamin D2 and D3.
Feed Uses: Phospholipid and cholesterol are important feed additives.
Nonfood and Industrial Uses: In this realm there are at least as many applications as in the food industry. Lecithin is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, coatings (paints, magnetic tape coatings, waxes, polishes, and wood coatings), plastic and rubber industry, glass and ceramic processing, paper and printing, masonry and asphalt products, petroleum industry, metal processing, pesticides, adhesives, textiles, and leathers.
Key players in global lipid market include: DuPont, Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland, Avanti Polar Lipids, Lasenor Emul, Lecico, LIPOID, Nippon Fine Chemical, Zhongchuang Engineering & Technology, Vav Life Sciences, Unimills